A variety of federally financed grants based on performance pay are providing insights into how districts and teachers can improve teaching and learning, but officials and researchers say their effectiveness is uncertain.

An analysis found that 12 states have similar standards in English/language arts, and 16 do in math, and most of them incorporate the broad range of high-level college-readiness skills identified by Achieve.

A high turnover among top state school officers nationwide is posing a challenge for recruiters seeking people with the right mix of educational acumen and political savvy to fill the vacant or soon-to-be-vacant spots.

A decade-long push by states to make high school students pass an exit exam before getting their diplomas has stalled as politically sensitive student-failure rates contribute to a growing public backlash against high-stakes testing.

All principals are motivated and they care deeply about the schools and students in their charge. But different attitudes and goals separate those who are trying to transform a school and those who are trying to cope with daily struggles, says Jean Johnson.

FOUNDATION SUPPORT: Coverage of specific topics in Education Week is supported in part by grants from the Annenberg Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Spencer Foundation, the Wallace Foundation, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. The newspaper retains sole editorial control over the content of the articles that are underwritten by the foundations.